10 Best Camping Hatchets & Axes In 2021

When you need a powerful axe to cut down an entire tree or chop large logs, the Fiskars X15 stands up to the task. It’s a two-handed model that creates a lot of power to get even the hardest jobs done. But, despite the size, it’s designed well to preserve your energy and make every swing count.

Size and Weight

Measuring 23.5 inches in length, the Fiskars X15 chopping axe is one of the longest on our list. Additionally, this top-rated ax is also one of the heaviest. Because of this, the hits you make with it will easily go through any type of wood. Unfortunately, the X15 might be too large for some more precise tasks.

Materials and Use

To make this survival axe even easier to use, Fiskars uses specially forged steel that keeps an edge well and cuts easily when you strike. The handle is made of FiberComp composite that is almost indestructible. On the other hand, it’s textured to provide a better grip and has a curved bottom, so it doesn’t slip from your hands while in use.

With a length of 17 inches, the Fiskars X11 splitting axe offers the ideal balance between the previous two Fiskars models we talked about. It’s powerful enough to deal with larger branches, but still offers plenty of precision for smaller tasks. Of course, you can also count on high-level quality that is even backed by a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty.

Size and Weight

The length we’ve mentioned (17 inches) makes the Fiskars X11 fantastic for one-handed use when splitting small logs. Like all the other Fiskars models, it’s balanced well and has a perfect power-to-weight ratio that allows you to get the most out of every strike. This particular model weighs about 2.18 pounds, meaning that it will be easy to handle for just about any camper.

Materials and Use

The stainless-steel head is crafted with a proprietary grinding technique to give you an extra-sharp edge that won’t go dull quickly. On top of this, the FiberComp handle with a non-slip grip allows an optimal swing without wasting too much energy. Overall, it’s a great option if you’re looking for a single axe for most jobs.

The Gransfors Bruks wildlife hatchet is a traditional-looking model that focuses on convenience and portability. It’s among the shortest models we’ve featured, making it the perfect backpacking hatchet to take anywhere. We also really like the vegetable-tanned sheath that it comes with, as it makes packing and transportation a lot safer.

Size and Weight

From top to bottom, the Gransfors Bruks wildlife hatchet measures 13.5 inches. Besides packing, this length is ideal for most jobs that you’re going to have around the camp. On the other hand, the weight of only 1.3 pounds has both pros and cons. On one side, it’s easy to use and won’t tire you out. However, it often won’t be able to generate enough power for larger branches.

Materials and Use

The traditional design of this model consists of a wooden handle with steelhead on top. The handle is curved to provide a better grip, and it even has an eyelet at the bottom for adding a wrist strap. As for the head, the steel quality is very good which allows it to hold an edge longer and make chopping smoother.

Designed for bringing down medium-sized trees with ease, the Estwing Special Edition camp axe is one of the best options if you need more power and less precision. Since it’s made to tackle the hardest tasks, the Estwing Special is also one of the toughest and most durable axes that you can get. And, to make use more convenient, it comes with a special shock-absorbing handle.

Size and Weight

With a length of 26 inches, the Estwing Special Edition axe will give you an excellent swing. As you can see, it’s a two-handed axe, allowing you to generate plenty of power for chopping. While it’s not too heavy considering the size, it still has enough weight to transfer the power and cut pretty much anything smoothly.

Materials and Use

For additional strength, this backpacking axe is made in one piece from high-quality 1055 stainless steel. The bottom part comes with a handle made of genuine leather that provides a fantastic grip and makes sure you don’t get blisters when chopping wood. Last but not least, the package also includes a nylon sheath to protect the blade and make it safer when not in use.

Thanks to the special PTFE coating on the blade, the Gerber 14-inch hatchet makes chopping incredibly smooth and clean. The forged steel head provides excellent durability and performance, while the composite handle absorbs shock and gives you a firm grip when working. As a bonus, the package also includes a plastic sheath for covering the blade.

Size and Weight

At 14 inches, the size of this Gerber hatchet is perfect for almost all standard tasks that you will have around the camp. It will split smaller logs, cut branches, and prepare wood for a fire. However, it might be too small if you plan to cut down trees. As for the weight, the Gerber hatchet is only 1.54 pounds which makes it very easy to handle.

Materials and Use

The head of this model is made of forged steel with excellent strength and durability. Like we’ve mentioned, it comes with a PTFE coating to make chopping even smoother. Besides neutralizing shock, the composite handle also feels comfortable to hold and has a soft touch over-mold that prevents the hatchet from slipping out of your hand. Lastly, the hatchet has an eyelet for tying a wrist strap and increasing safety.

If you want top-level quality regardless of the cost, take a look at the Hults Bruk Almike hatchet. Hand-forged from highest-quality Swedish steel, this is a hatchet that will last for a lifetime. The head delivers powerful and precise cuts, while the hickory handle gives you great comfort while using it.

Size and Weight

The Almike is a mid-sized hatchet, with a handle that measures 16 inches in length. It’s a one-handed model, able to generate enough power for any task. However, keep in mind that it’s also slightly heavier than other similarly-sized hatchets. At 2.75 pounds, the Almike creates a powerful strike but might be too heavy for some campers to use for a longer time.

Materials and Use

The steel quality used for this axe is exceptional, and campers agree that it’s nearly indestructible. It holds an edge well and makes clean cuts every time. Besides comfort, the hickory handle provides a fairly decent grip too. While wood handles are known to slip around when wet, the curved design that this one uses reduces the chance of an accident.

The Hults Bruk Kisa axe is a fantastic tool to cut trees down with ease, but still not too heavy that you’ll have a problem handling it. The blend of strong Swedish steel and hickory wood not only makes it look fantastic but also ensures that you’ll be able to use it for many years to come.

Size and Weight

Compared to most other axes we’ve talked about, the Hults Bruk Kisa is slightly longer. At 26 inches in length, it allows a very decent swing when felling trees. On the other hand, it doesn’t weigh too much considering the size. The steelhead itself weighs only 2 pounds, and even with the wood handle included it comes in just shy of 3 pounds.

Materials and Use

To guarantee sharp cutting without too much effort, the head of this axe is made of high-quality Swedish steel.  The blade undergoes a special tempering process that further increases strength and allows it to hold a sharp edge longer. To complement this, the hickory handle feels comfortable to use even for extended periods.